Bible Commentary

John 5:38

The Pulpit Commentary on John 5:38

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

And further, you have not his Word ( τον λογον αυτου) abiding in you. The Word of the Father (for the αὐτου refers to the Father), i.e. the full expression of the Father's heart, was sounding through the voice of the Son of God, and might have entered into and become an abiding power in their inmost conscience and their spiritual life; but they had not received the "Word" of the Lord through the "Voice" of the Lord. The reason given is, Because him whom he (the Father) sent, him (this One) ye believe not. In other words, "Your lack of faith in me accounts for your perverse misconception, for your inability to see and hear all that there is of the Father's personal testimony to me." Some suspect a petitio principii in this argument, but the reasoning seems to be this; there is abundant evidence, corroboration, and cooperative glory, affirming the truth of all that Christ has said about himself as the Source of life and Judge of man; but the moral susceptibility of his hearers is paralyzed, and their faith in the most fundamental facts of their own experience is at fault. They seem impervious, not only to Christ's Word, but to the corroborative testimonies themselves.

(d) The witness of the Scriptures.

Recommended reading

More for John 5:38

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 5:1-471. Christ proved, by signs and wonders and testimonies, to be Source of life.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 5:1-47EXPOSITION Here commences the second division of the Gospel (John 5:1) II. THE CONFLICT WITH THE CHOSEN PEOPLE IN JERUSALEM, GALILEE, AND JERUSALEM, TO THE DEATH SENTENCE RECORDED BY THE SANHEDRIN.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 5:17-47(3) The reply of Jesus to the hostile Jews. The discourse of the Lord Jesus, in reply to the persecuting spirit and deadly purpose of the Jewish authorities, is now given at length. There is a fulness and order and prog…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on John 5:30-38Our Lord returns to his declaration of the entire agreement between the Father and the Son, and declared himself the Son of God. He had higher testimony than that of John; his works bore witness to all he had said. But…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 5:30-40(c) The witness borne to these claims.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryChrist Proves His Divine Mission; Infidelity of the Jews ReprovedCHRIST PROVES HIS DIVINE MISSION; INFIDELITY OF THE JEWS REPROVED. In these verses our Lord Jesus proves and confirms the commission he had produced, and makes it out that he was sent of God to be the Messiah. I. He set…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on John 5:31-40The witness to the Son. The Jews might retort that all Jesus affirmed respecting himself had no other support than his own words. His answer is that there is a threefold witness in his favour. I. OUR LORD ADMITS THE NEE…Joseph S. Exell and contributors