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These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, <a href="/nlt/john/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! <a href="/esv/john/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, <a href="/bsb/john/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me, <a href="/blb/john/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> You diligently search the Scriptures because you think to have eternal life in them, and these are they bearing witness concerning Me; <a href="/kjv/john/5.htm">King James Bible</a> Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. <a href="/nkjv/john/5.htm">New King James Version</a> You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. <a href="/nasb_/john/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> You examine the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is those very Scriptures that testify about Me; <a href="/nasb/john/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; <a href="/nasb77/john/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me; <a href="/lsb/john/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that bear witness about Me; <a href="/amp/john/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> You search and keep on searching and examining the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and yet it is those [very Scriptures] that testify about Me; <a href="/csb/john/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me. <a href="/hcsb/john/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, yet they testify about Me. <a href="/asv/john/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me; <a href="/cev/john/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You search the Scriptures, because you think you will find eternal life in them. The Scriptures tell about me, <a href="/erv/john/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me; <a href="/gwt/john/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> You study the Scriptures in detail because you think you have the source of eternal life in them. These Scriptures testify on my behalf. <a href="/gnt/john/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> You study the Scriptures, because you think that in them you will find eternal life. And these very Scriptures speak about me! <a href="/isv/john/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> You examine the Scriptures carefully because you suppose that in them you have eternal life. Yet they testify about me. <a href="/msb/john/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me, <a href="/net/john/5.htm">NET Bible</a> You study the scriptures thoroughly because you think in them you possess eternal life, and it is these same scriptures that testify about me, <a href="/nheb/john/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have everlasting life; and these are they which testify about me. <a href="/wbt/john/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. <a href="/wey/john/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "You search the Scriptures, because you suppose that in them you will find the Life of the Ages; and it is those Scriptures that yield testimony concerning me; <a href="/web/john/5.htm">World English Bible</a> “You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> You search the Writings, because you think in them to have continuous life, and these are they that are testifying concerning Me; <a href="/blb/john/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> You diligently search the Scriptures because you think to have eternal life in them, and these are they bearing witness concerning Me; <a href="/ylt/john/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'Ye search the Writings, because ye think in them to have life age-during, and these are they that are testifying concerning me; <a href="/slt/john/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Search the writings; for ye think in them to have eternal life: and these are they testifying of me.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Search the scriptures, for you think in them to have life everlasting; and the same are they that give testimony of me. <a href="/cpdv/john/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Study the Scriptures. For you think that in them you have eternal life. And yet they also offer testimony about me. <a href="/nabre/john/5.htm">New American Bible</a> You search the scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. <a href="/nrsvce/john/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Examine the scriptures, in which you trust that you have eternal life; and even they testify concerning me. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Search the scriptures, for in them you hope that you have eternal life, and they testify concerning Me,<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> You search the scriptures, because in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify concerning me: <a href="/godbey/john/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Search the Scriptures, because in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify concerning me;<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Search the scriptures; for ye suppose in them ye have eternal life: and these are they which testify of me. <a href="/mace/john/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a> You search the scriptures, for you think by their means to have eternal life, and they are the very writings which do testify of me. <a href="/wey/john/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "You search the Scriptures, because you suppose that in them you will find the Life of the Ages; and it is those Scriptures that yield testimony concerning me; <a href="/worrell/john/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>Ye search the Scriptures; because in them ye think ye have eternal life; and these are they that testify concerning Me;<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>Ye search the scriptures; for ye think that in them ye have eternal life:<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/5-39.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=1657" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/5.htm">The Witness of Scripture</a> 38nor does His word abide in you, because you do not believe the One He sent. 39<a href="/greek/2045.htm" title="2045: Eraunate (V-PIA-2P) -- To search diligently, examine. Apparently from ereo; to seek, i.e. to investigate.">You pore over</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tas (Art-AFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1124.htm" title="1124: graphas (N-AFP) -- (a) a writing, (b) a passage of scripture; plur: the scriptures. A document, i.e. Holy Writ.">Scriptures</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">because</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymeis (PPro-N2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/1380.htm" title="1380: dokeite (V-PIA-2P) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.">presume that</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">by</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autais (PPro-DF3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echein (V-PNA) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">you possess</a> <a href="/greek/166.htm" title="166: aiōnion (Adj-AFS) -- From aion; perpetual.">eternal</a> <a href="/greek/2222.htm" title="2222: zōēn (N-AFS) -- Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.">life.</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/1565.htm" title="1565: ekeinai (DPro-NFP) -- That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.">These</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: eisin (V-PIA-3P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">are</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hai (Art-NFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the very words that</a> <a href="/greek/3140.htm" title="3140: martyrousai (V-PPA-NFP) -- To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify.">testify</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.">about</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: emou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">Me,</a> 40yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/luke/24-27.htm">Luke 24:27</a> And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself. <a href="/luke/24-44.htm">Luke 24:44</a> Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” <a href="/acts/17-11.htm">Acts 17:11</a> Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true. <a href="/2_timothy/3-15.htm">2 Timothy 3:15</a> From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. <a href="/romans/15-4.htm">Romans 15:4</a> For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope. <a href="/hebrews/10-7.htm">Hebrews 10:7</a> Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’” <a href="/1_peter/1-10.htm">1 Peter 1:10-11</a> Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully, / trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a> Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. <a href="/john/1-45.htm">John 1:45</a> Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” <a href="/acts/3-18.htm">Acts 3:18</a> But in this way God has fulfilled what He foretold through all the prophets, saying that His Christ would suffer. <a href="/acts/26-22.htm">Acts 26:22-23</a> But I have had God’s help to this day, and I stand here to testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen: / that the Christ would suffer, and as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.” <a href="/romans/1-2.htm">Romans 1:2</a> the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, <a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Galatians 3:24</a> So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. <a href="/isaiah/53-1.htm">Isaiah 53:1-12</a> Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? / He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him. / He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. ... <a href="/deuteronomy/18-15.htm">Deuteronomy 18:15</a> The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.Search.<a href="/john/5-46.htm">John 5:46</a> For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.<a href="/john/7-52.htm">John 7:52</a> They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.<a href="/deuteronomy/11-18.htm">Deuteronomy 11:18-20</a> Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes… ye think.<a href="/deuteronomy/32-47.htm">Deuteronomy 32:47</a> For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.<a href="/psalms/16-11.htm">Psalm 16:11</a> Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.<a href="/psalms/21-4.htm">Psalm 21:4</a> He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.they which.<a href="/john/5-32.htm">John 5:32,36</a> There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true… <a href="/john/1-45.htm">John 1:45</a> Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.<a href="/deuteronomy/18-15.htm">Deuteronomy 18:15,18</a> The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; … See on<a href="/luke/24-27.htm">Luke 24:27,44</a> And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/5-24.htm">Age-During</a> <a href="/john/5-24.htm">Ages</a> <a href="/john/5-36.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/john/3-12.htm">Belief</a> <a href="/luke/15-8.htm">Diligently</a> <a href="/john/5-24.htm">Eternal</a> <a href="/john/4-27.htm">Find</a> <a href="/john/2-22.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/john/5-29.htm">Life</a> <a href="/luke/21-19.htm">Possess</a> <a href="/luke/24-45.htm">Scriptures</a> <a href="/luke/24-5.htm">Search</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-12.htm">Study</a> <a href="/luke/17-9.htm">Suppose</a> <a href="/john/5-36.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/john/5-32.htm">Testifying</a> <a href="/john/5-37.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/john/4-29.htm">Think</a> <a href="/john/5-37.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/john/2-22.htm">Writings</a> <a href="/luke/8-16.htm">Yield</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/6-27.htm">Age-During</a> <a href="/john/6-27.htm">Ages</a> <a href="/john/7-7.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/john/5-46.htm">Belief</a> <a href="/acts/18-25.htm">Diligently</a> <a href="/john/6-27.htm">Eternal</a> <a href="/john/6-41.htm">Find</a> <a href="/john/6-69.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/john/5-40.htm">Life</a> <a href="/acts/3-6.htm">Possess</a> <a href="/acts/17-2.htm">Scriptures</a> <a href="/john/7-52.htm">Search</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-11.htm">Study</a> <a href="/john/5-45.htm">Suppose</a> <a href="/john/7-7.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/john/8-13.htm">Testifying</a> <a href="/john/7-7.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/john/5-45.htm">Think</a> <a href="/john/7-3.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/john/5-46.htm">Writings</a> <a href="/acts/23-21.htm">Yield</a><div class="vheading2">John 5</div>1. <a href="/john/5-1.htm">Jesus on the Sabbath day cures him who was diseased thirty-eight years.</a> 10. <a href="/john/5-10.htm">The Jews therefore object, and persecute him for it.</a> 17. <a href="/john/5-17.htm">He answers for himself, and reproves them, showing by the testimony of his Father,</a> 31. <a href="/john/5-31.htm">of John,</a> 36. <a href="/john/5-36.htm">of his works,</a> 39. <a href="/john/5-39.htm">and of the Scriptures, who he is.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In the Jewish context, this refers to the Hebrew Scriptures, known as the Tanakh, which includes the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings. The Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus' time were known for their meticulous study of these texts. This phrase highlights their dedication to understanding God's word, yet it also implies a potential misdirection in their focus.because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. The presumption here is that the mere study and knowledge of the Scriptures could grant eternal life. This reflects a common belief among the Jewish leaders that adherence to the Law and the traditions could secure one's standing before God. However, Jesus challenges this notion by suggesting that the Scriptures themselves are not the source of life, but rather point to something greater. This echoes the theme found in <a href="/deuteronomy/30-15.htm">Deuteronomy 30:15-20</a>, where life is found in choosing to love and obey God, not merely in the letter of the law.These are the very words that testify about Me, Jesus asserts that the Scriptures testify about Him, indicating that He is the fulfillment of the prophecies and promises contained within them. This is a profound claim, as it positions Jesus as the central figure of the biblical narrative. Passages such as <a href="/isaiah/53.htm">Isaiah 53</a>, <a href="/psalms/22.htm">Psalm 22</a>, and <a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a> are often cited as prophetic references to the Messiah, which Jesus fulfills. The testimony of the Scriptures about Jesus is a recurring theme in the New Testament, as seen in <a href="/luke/24-27.htm">Luke 24:27</a>, where Jesus explains to the disciples on the road to Emmaus how the Scriptures point to Him.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure in this passage, addressing the Jewish leaders and pointing them to the true purpose of the Scriptures. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jewish_leaders.htm">Jewish Leaders</a> The audience Jesus is speaking to, who diligently study the Scriptures but fail to recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of those Scriptures. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_scriptures.htm">The Scriptures</a> Refers to the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), which the Jewish leaders study in search of eternal life. 4. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_life.htm">Eternal Life</a> The ultimate goal that the Jewish leaders seek through their study of the Scriptures. 5. <a href="/topical/t/testimony_of_the_scriptures.htm">Testimony of the Scriptures</a> The role of the Scriptures in pointing to Jesus as the Messiah and the source of eternal life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_purpose_of_scripture.htm">The Purpose of Scripture</a> The primary purpose of the Scriptures is to reveal Jesus Christ and lead us to Him. Our study should always point us to a deeper relationship with Him. <a href="/topical/d/diligent_study_with_the_right_heart.htm">Diligent Study with the Right Heart</a> While diligent study of the Bible is commendable, it must be accompanied by a heart open to recognizing Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_life_through_christ.htm">Eternal Life through Christ</a> Eternal life is not found in the mere study of Scripture but in the person of Jesus Christ, whom the Scriptures reveal. <a href="/topical/s/scripture_as_testimony.htm">Scripture as Testimony</a> The entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments, serves as a testimony to Jesus Christ. Understanding this helps us interpret the Bible correctly. <a href="/topical/a/application_of_scripture.htm">Application of Scripture</a> As we study the Bible, we should seek to apply its truths to our lives, allowing it to transform us and draw us closer to Jesus.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 5</a> <a href="/q/father_of_english_hymnody.htm">Who is known as the Father of English Hymnody?</a> <a href="/q/how_do_christocentric_vs._christotelic_differ.htm">How do Christocentric and Christotelic interpretations differ?</a> <a href="/q/bible_contradictions_how_reconciled.htm">Does the Bible contain contradictions, and how reconciled?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_let_christ's_word_dwell_richly.htm">How can Christ's word dwell in you richly?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(39) Search the scriptures.--Better, Ye search the Scriptures. The question whether the mood is imperative or indicative, whether we have here a commandment to examine the writings of the Old Testament canon, or a reference to their habit of doing so, is one which has been discussed through the whole history of New Testament exposition, and one on which the opinion of those best qualified to judge has been, and is, almost equally divided. It is not a question of the form of the Greek word, for it may certainly be either. The English reader therefore is in a position to form his own opinion, and is in possession of almost all the evidence. He should observe that all the parallel verbs in the context are in the indicative--"Ye have neither heard" . . . "nor have seen" (<a href="/john/5-37.htm" title="And the Father himself, which has sent me, has borne witness of me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.">John 5:37</a>); "Ye have not His Word . . . ye believe not" (<a href="/john/5-38.htm" title="And you have not his word abiding in you: for whom he has sent, him you believe not.">John 5:38</a>); "Ye think that . . . ye have" (<a href="/john/5-39.htm" title="Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.">John 5:39</a>); "Ye will not . . ye might have" (<a href="/john/5-40.htm" title="And you will not come to me, that you might have life.">John 5:40</a>). Why should there be a sudden change of construction in this instance only?We find, then, this order of thought. (1) God has in the Old Testament witnessed of Me, but ye, with unreceptive hearts, have never heard a voice nor seen a shape of God (<a href="/john/5-37.htm" title="And the Father himself, which has sent me, has borne witness of me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.">John 5:37</a>). (2) Ye have not His word dwelling in you, or it would have witnessed of Me (<a href="/john/5-38.htm" title="And you have not his word abiding in you: for whom he has sent, him you believe not.">John 5:38</a>). (3) Instead of receiving the Scriptures as a living power within you, ye search and explain the letter of them from without (<a href="/john/5-39.htm" title="Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.">John 5:39</a>). (4) Ye think they contain eternal life, and hence your reverence for them (<a href="/john/5-39.htm" title="Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.">John 5:39</a>). (5) They really are witnesses of Me, and yet you; seeking in them eternal life, are not willing to come to Me that ye may have this life. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 39, 40. - (d) The witness of the Scriptures. Verse 39. - Ye search the Scriptures. A large number of commentators, from Chrysostom and Augustine to Luther, Tholuck, Hengstenberg, M'Clellan, Luthardt, and Ewald, with the Authorized Version, regard this as an imperative command. This is grammatical, and corresponds to the language of <a href="/isaiah/34-16.htm">Isaiah 34:16</a>; but with Cyril, Bengel, De Wette, Meyer, Godet, Lange, Westcott, Plummer, Watkins, we think the whole context demands the indicative. The second clause, "because in them," etc., follows far more obviously upon an assertion than upon a precept. The "ye will not" that follows is far more in harmony with the indicative than with the supposed command. The Lord says, "You have a third great testimony to my claim, and yet you are not prepared to accept it." Ye search the Scriptures. The verb ἐρεῦναν is used (<a href="/john/7-52.htm">John 7:52</a>; <a href="/1_peter/1-11.htm">1 Peter 1:11</a>; <a href="/romans/8-27.htm">Romans 8:27</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/2-10.htm">1 Corinthians 2:10</a>) for minute, prolonged search. The kind of investigation which the rabbis spent upon the text and letter of the Holy Scriptures is a proverb, and led to the allegorical mystical meanings of the Genesisaras and other Hebrew literature. "Ye search the Scriptures" rather than the living Word, rather than the Divine meaning and message from the living God which they do contain. This is one term out of many which the Lord employed for the sacred literature which was the great heritage of the Hebrew people. Elsewhere he called it "the Law," "the Law and prophets," "Moses and the prophets," "your Law," "the wisdom of God." He admits their study, prolonged and eager, of the sacred writings, and he justifies the ground and motive of such search, viz.: because ye think in them ye have eternal life; or, ye shall have, or shall find, eternal life. Some powerful critics, like Meyer, urge that our Lord agrees so far with the Jews, that he sympathizes with their search, and that censure or ironical language would be inconsistent with the Saviour's reverence for the Scriptures. But the expression is very unusual on that hypothesis, "Ye think [or, 'imagine'] ye have in them," rather than "ye have through them." Surely our Lord is here condemning the superstitious idea that, in the mere possession of the letter, they were possessors of the eternal life; that, apart from the indwelling Word, apart from the heart of the message itself, some magical advantage was springing. Hillel, whoso view of Scripture may be expressed in a saying ('Aboth,' 2:8), "He who has gotten to himself words of the Law hath gotten to himself the life of the world to come," here differs utterly from the Lord, who, on the doctrine of Holy Scripture, takes ground similar to that which he had taken with reference to the temple and the sabbath. It is not the bare possession of the Scriptures, nor the prolonged examination of its mere letter, that is the condition of eternal life. "Search" which is originated and stimulated by a vague idea of the life-giving force of the letter, is illusive. We may think that in them we have eternal life, but our Lord would undeceive us. Moreover, from the depths of his own consciousness and knowledge of his own mission, he adds: And they are they which testify concerning me. This is one of the keynotes of New Testament teaching, viz. Christ's idea of the Old Testament, that it was a sketch or portraiture drawn in successive ages and on various material of himself - that it was an outline of great principles which he was about, not to rub out, but to fill in, not "to destroy, but to fulfil." The histories, the experiences, the ceremonial, the dynasties; the offices, the songs and prayers, the predictive and typical sorrows there depicted, were all prelibations and unconscious prophecies of himself. "They testify concerning me," and, together with my works and with my forerunner and, more than all, with my Father's own voice speaking and my Father's own face shining through all, they complete the manifold testimony to the fact that I have come to do his will, to work with him, to deliver, to restore, to give life, and to execute judgment also, when my hour is come. If this be so, then strange, inconsistent, and tragic is the ultimate issue - <a href="/commentaries/john/5-39.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>You pore over Ἐραυνᾶτε (Eraunate) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2045.htm">Strong's 2045: </a> To search diligently, examine. Apparently from ereo; to seek, i.e. to investigate. the τὰς (tas) Article - Accusative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Scriptures γραφάς (graphas) Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1124.htm">Strong's 1124: </a> (a) a writing, (b) a passage of scripture; plur: the scriptures. A document, i.e. Holy Writ. because ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. you ὑμεῖς (hymeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. presume that δοκεῖτε (dokeite) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1380.htm">Strong's 1380: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem. by ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. them αὐταῖς (autais) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Feminine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. you possess ἔχειν (echein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. eternal αἰώνιον (aiōnion) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_166.htm">Strong's 166: </a> From aion; perpetual. life. ζωὴν (zōēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2222.htm">Strong's 2222: </a> Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life. These ἐκεῖναί (ekeinai) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1565.htm">Strong's 1565: </a> That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed. are εἰσιν (eisin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. the [very words that] αἱ (hai) Article - Nominative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. testify μαρτυροῦσαι (martyrousai) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3140.htm">Strong's 3140: </a> To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify. about περὶ (peri) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4012.htm">Strong's 4012: </a> From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time. Me, ἐμοῦ (emou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/5-39.htm">John 5:39 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/5-39.htm">John 5:39 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/5-39.htm">John 5:39 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/5-39.htm">John 5:39 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/5-39.htm">John 5:39 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/5-39.htm">John 5:39 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/5-39.htm">John 5:39 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/5-39.htm">John 5:39 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/5-39.htm">John 5:39 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/5-39.htm">John 5:39 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/5-39.htm">NT Gospels: John 5:39 You search the Scriptures because you think (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/5-38.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 5:38"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 5:38" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/5-40.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 5:40"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 5:40" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>