John 5:38

38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent.

John 5:38 in Other Translations

KJV
38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
ESV
38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.
NLT
38 and you do not have his message in your hearts, because you do not believe me—the one he sent to you.
MSG
38 There is nothing left in your memory of his Message because you do not take his Messenger seriously.
CSB
38 You don't have His word living in you, because you don't believe the One He sent.

John 5:38 Meaning and Commentary

John 5:38

And ye have not his word abiding in you
Which some understand of Christ himself, the Logos, or word: who, though he was now with them, being made flesh, and dwelling among them, yet would not long continue with them: though rather this designs the written word, or the Scriptures of truth; and especially that part of them, which contains prophecies concerning the Messiah, which did not dwell in them richly, nor they dwell in their meditation on them, as was requisite. Or rather, it may intend that word of God expressed in the testimony he bore to the sonship of Christ at his baptism, by a voice from heaven, which made no lasting impression upon the minds and hearts of the Jews that heard it; as appears by what follows:

for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not;
meaning himself; for if they had had either a due regard to the sacred oracles, or to that voice from heaven at his baptism, they would have received and embraced him as the Messiah, and sent of God, and not have disbelieved and rejected him, as now they did.

John 5:38 In-Context

36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me.
37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form,
38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent.
39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,
40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

Cross References 3

  • 1. 1 John 1:10; 1 John 2:14
  • 2. Isaiah 26:10
  • 3. S John 3:17
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