CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 5:40 yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/5-40.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/43_Jhn_05_40.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 5:40 - The Witness of Scripture" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="yet you refuse to come to Me to have life." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/5-40.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/5-40.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/5.htm">Chapter 5</a> > Verse 40</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/5-39.htm" title="John 5:39">◄</a> John 5:40 <a href="/john/5-41.htm" title="John 5:41">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/john/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/john/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />yet you refuse to come to me to have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />and you are not willing to come to Me, that you may have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and <i>yet</i> you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and still you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And you are not willing to come to Me so that you may have life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and ye will not come to me, that ye may have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />but you refuse to come to me for eternal life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and ye will not come to me, that ye may have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Yet, you don't want to come to me to get [eternal] life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Yet you are not willing to come to me in order to have life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But you are not willing to come to me to have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />but you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But you are unwilling to come to me so that you may have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And ye will not come to me, that ye may have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />and yet you are unwilling to come to me that you may have Life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Yet you will not come to me, that you may have life. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and you do not will to come to Me, that you may have life;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />and you are not willing to come to Me, that you may have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and ye do not will to come unto me, that ye may have life;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And ye wish not to come to me, that ye might have life.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And you will not come to me that you may have life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And you are not willing to come to me, so that you may have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But you do not want to come to me to have life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Yet you refuse to come to me to have life.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Yet you will not come to me, that you might have life everlasting.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And you are not willing to come to me that eternal life may be yours.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />and yet you refuse to come to me, that you may have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>and you do not wish to come unto me, in order that you may have life.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />yet you will not come to me, that ye may have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />and yet you are unwilling to come to me that you may have Life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>and ye are not willing to come to Me, that ye may have life.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>and they testify of me: and <Fr><i>yet</i><FR> ye will not come to me, that ye may have life.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/5-40.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=1668" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/5.htm">The Witness of Scripture</a></span><br><span class="reftext">39</span>You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me, <span class="reftext">40</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">yet</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/2309.htm" title="2309: thelete (V-PIA-2P) -- To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. ">you refuse</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: elthein (V-ANA) -- To come, go. ">to come</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">to</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: me (PPro-A1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">Me</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">to</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echēte (V-PSA-2P) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">have</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> </span> <span class="reftext">41</span>I do not accept glory from men,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/13-34.htm">Luke 13:34</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-1.htm">Isaiah 55:1-3</a></span><br />“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. / Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-13.htm">Jeremiah 29:13</a></span><br />You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-31.htm">Ezekiel 18:31-32</a></span><br />Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/30-19.htm">Deuteronomy 30:19-20</a></span><br />I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, / and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-24.htm">Proverbs 1:24-25</a></span><br />Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, / because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/8-34.htm">Proverbs 8:34-36</a></span><br />Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway. / For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD. / But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/65-12.htm">Isaiah 65:12</a></span><br />I will destine you for the sword, and you will all kneel down to be slaughtered, because I called and you did not answer, I spoke and you did not listen; you did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/66-4.htm">Isaiah 66:4</a></span><br />So I will choose their punishment and I will bring terror upon them, because I called and no one answered, I spoke and no one listened. But they did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28</a></span><br />Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-11.htm">John 1:11</a></span><br />He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-19.htm">John 3:19-20</a></span><br />And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. / Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-37.htm">John 6:37</a></span><br />Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never drive away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-37.htm">John 7:37</a></span><br />On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And you will not come to me, that you might have life.</p><p class="hdg">ye will not.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/5-44.htm">John 5:44</a></b></br> How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that <i>cometh</i> from God only?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/1-11.htm">John 1:11</a></b></br> He came unto his own, and his own received him not.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/3-19.htm">John 3:19</a></b></br> And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.</p><p class="hdg">that.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/6-27.htm">John 6:27,37,40,68,69</a></b></br> Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/7-37.htm">John 7:37,38</a></b></br> In the last day, that great <i>day</i> of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/11-25.htm">John 11:25,26</a></b></br> Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/5-30.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/john/5-39.htm">Life</a> <a href="/john/5-38.htm">Refuse</a> <a href="/luke/19-27.htm">Unwilling</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/5-44.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/john/6-27.htm">Life</a> <a href="/john/18-11.htm">Refuse</a> <a href="/john/7-1.htm">Unwilling</a><div class="vheading2">John 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/5-1.htm">Jesus on the Sabbath day cures him who was diseased thirty-eight years.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/5-10.htm">The Jews therefore object, and persecute him for it.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/5-17.htm">He answers for himself, and reproves them, showing by the testimony of his Father,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/5-31.htm">of John,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/5-36.htm">of his works,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/5-39.htm">and of the Scriptures, who he is.</a></span><br></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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>yet you refuse</b><br>This phrase highlights the willful rejection of Jesus by the religious leaders and people of His time. Despite witnessing His miracles and hearing His teachings, they chose not to believe. This refusal is a recurring theme in the Gospels, where Jesus often encounters disbelief and opposition, particularly from the Pharisees and Sadducees. This reflects the hardness of heart that can prevent individuals from accepting the truth, as seen in other scriptures like <a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a>, where Jesus laments over Jerusalem's unwillingness to accept Him.<p><b>to come to Me</b><br>"Come to Me" is an invitation from Jesus, emphasizing a personal relationship with Him as the source of spiritual life. This invitation is consistent with other passages, such as <a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28</a>, where Jesus calls those who are weary to find rest in Him. The act of coming to Jesus implies faith and trust, a central theme in the New Testament. It also reflects the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah being a shepherd who gathers His flock, as seen in <a href="/ezekiel/34-11.htm">Ezekiel 34:11-16</a>.<p><b>to have life</b><br>The concept of life here is not merely physical but eternal and spiritual, a key theme in the Gospel of John. Jesus is presented as the source of eternal life, as seen in <a href="/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10</a>, where He states that He came to give life abundantly. This life is a fulfillment of the promises found in the Old Testament, such as in <a href="/isaiah/55-3.htm">Isaiah 55:3</a>, where God promises an everlasting covenant. The life Jesus offers is contrasted with the spiritual death that comes from sin, as explained in <a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing the Jewish leaders who are questioning His authority and identity. He is the source of eternal life.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jewish_leaders.htm">Jewish Leaders</a></b><br>The audience to whom Jesus is speaking. They are skeptical of Jesus' claims and are unwilling to accept Him as the Messiah.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The setting of this discourse, where Jesus often taught and performed miracles, challenging the religious status quo.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_healing_at_bethesda.htm">The Healing at Bethesda</a></b><br>The event preceding this verse, where Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath, sparking controversy and leading to this discourse.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_scriptures.htm">The Scriptures</a></b><br>Jesus refers to the Jewish Scriptures (Old Testament), which testify about Him, yet the leaders fail to recognize Him.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_necessity_of_coming_to_jesus.htm">The Necessity of Coming to Jesus</a></b><br>Eternal life is found only in Jesus. Despite knowing the Scriptures, the Jewish leaders missed the life-giving relationship with Christ. We must prioritize a personal relationship with Jesus over mere religious knowledge.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_spiritual_pride.htm">The Danger of Spiritual Pride</a></b><br>The Jewish leaders' refusal to come to Jesus was rooted in pride and self-reliance. We must guard against spiritual pride that blinds us to our need for Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_scripture.htm">The Role of Scripture</a></b><br>The Scriptures testify about Jesus. Our study of the Bible should lead us to a deeper relationship with Him, not just intellectual understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_respond.htm">The Call to Respond</a></b><br>Jesus invites all to come to Him for life. This requires a response of faith and humility, acknowledging our need for His salvation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_refusal.htm">The Consequences of Refusal</a></b><br>Refusing to come to Jesus results in missing out on the life He offers. We must examine our hearts and ensure we are not resisting His call.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/total_count_on_noah's_ark.htm">What does 'Passed from Death to Life' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_christianity_the_only_way.htm">Are other religions wrong? What makes Christianity the only way?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_everlasting_life.htm">What defines the concept of everlasting life?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_an_eternal_perspective.htm">What was God's purpose in sending Jesus?</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>(40) <span class= "bld">And ye will not come to me.</span>--The real hindrance is once more traced to the will. (See Note on <a href="/john/3-9.htm" title="Nicodemus answered and said to him, How can these things be?">John 3:9</a>.) It is moral, not intellectual. The result of a true willingness to know the truth is certain, not problematic. "Ye search because ye think ye have: if ye were willing to come, ye should really have."<p>The lesson is wide in its bearing. The Rabbinic spirit is not confined to Rabbis, nor is the merely literal study of the Scriptures limited to those of Judaea. Dictionaries, and grammars, and commentaries, are tools; but the precious ore is in the mine, and is to be extracted by every man for himself. He who wisely uses the best means will know most of God and His truth; but this knowledge no man can purchase, and the essentials of it none need lack. It is to be learned in the closet, rather than in the library; in action and trust, rather than in scholarship and thought. Religion is not philosophy, and the world by knowledge has never known God. For every humble heart that willeth to be a scholar, God Himself willeth to be the Teacher.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 40.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And ye will not come to me, that ye may have life.</span> This fearful conclusion of the whole matter is charged upon the responsibility of man. Doubtless, elsewhere, the will is described as itself made willing by the Divine attraction, by the grace of the Father. "He that <span class="accented">hath seen and heard of the Father</span> [seen, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> his shape and heard his voice - seen his shape and heard his voice in my ministry and manifestation], <span class="accented">cometh unto me."</span> Yet the grace of God working directly on character or indirectly by other revelations, never obliterates the sense of responsibility. The appeal of God is made to the will of man, whether we consciously or unconsciously are made "willing in the day of his power" (cf. <a href="/john/7-17.htm">John 7:17</a>; <a href="/john/6-44.htm">John 6:44, 67</a>; <a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a>). The sad tone of this solemn charge corresponds with and does much to explain the pathetic cry, "O Jerusalem... how often would I have gathered thy children... and ye would not!" while the entire passage suggests that this appeal was only one specimen out of many such discourses, one hint of the numerous sayings and self-manifestations, one of many accumulated proofs of his Divine commission, out of which the belief of the evangelists and the invincible assent of the Church arose, that he was indeed "the Word made flesh," "the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/5-40.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">yet</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">you refuse</span><br /><span class="grk">θέλετε</span> <span class="translit">(thelete)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2309.htm">Strong's 2309: </a> </span><span class="str2">To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">to come</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐλθεῖν</span> <span class="translit">(elthein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come, go. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="grk">πρός</span> <span class="translit">(pros)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> </span><span class="str2">To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Me</span><br /><span class="grk">με</span> <span class="translit">(me)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="grk">ἵνα</span> <span class="translit">(hina)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> </span><span class="str2">In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔχητε</span> <span class="translit">(echēte)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">life.</span><br /><span class="grk">ζωὴν</span> <span class="translit">(zōēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2222.htm">Strong's 2222: </a> </span><span class="str2">Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/5-40.htm">John 5:40 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/5-40.htm">John 5:40 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/5-40.htm">John 5:40 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/5-40.htm">John 5:40 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/5-40.htm">John 5:40 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/5-40.htm">John 5:40 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/5-40.htm">John 5:40 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/5-40.htm">John 5:40 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/5-40.htm">John 5:40 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/5-40.htm">John 5:40 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/5-40.htm">NT Gospels: John 5:40 Yet you will not come to me (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/5-39.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 5:39"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 5:39" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/5-41.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 5:41"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 5:41" /></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>