John 5:31-47
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Witnesses to Jesus. 31 (A)“If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony cannot be verified. 32 But there is another[a] who testifies on my behalf, and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true. 33 You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth.(B) 34 I do not accept testimony from a human being, but I say this so that you may be saved.(C) 35 He was a burning and shining lamp,[b] and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light.(D) 36 But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.(E) 37 Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf. But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form,(F) 38 and you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent.(G) 39 You search[c] the scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf.(H) 40 But you do not want to come to me to have life.
Unbelief of Jesus’ Hearers. 41 “I do not accept human praise;[d] 42 moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you.(I) 43 I came in the name of my Father, but you do not accept me; yet if another comes in his own name, you will accept him.(J) 44 How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?(K) 45 Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father: the one who will accuse you is Moses, in whom you have placed your hope.(L) 46 For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me.(M) 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 5:32 Another: likely the Father, who in four different ways gives testimony to Jesus, as indicated in the verse groupings Jn 5:33–34, 36, 37–38, 39–40.
- 5:35 Lamp: cf. Ps 132:17—“I will place a lamp for my anointed (= David),” and possibly the description of Elijah in Sir 48:1. But only for a while, indicating the temporary and subordinate nature of John’s mission.
- 5:39 You search: this may be an imperative: “Search the scriptures, because you think that you have eternal life through them.”
- 5:41 Praise: the same Greek word means “praise” or “honor” (from others) and “glory” (from God). There is a play on this in Jn 5:44.
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