And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

JOHN 5:38KJV
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John 5:38 (KJV)

What does John 5:38 mean?

John 5:38 says that the people Jesus is speaking to do not have God's word living or remaining in them, because they do not believe in the one God has sent. Jesus is pointing out that their lack of faith in him shows that God's message has not truly taken root in their hearts.

In this verse, Jesus is addressing a group of Jewish leaders who are questioning his authority and identity. He tells them that, even though they study the Scriptures, they do not actually let God's word shape or guide them, as shown by their refusal to believe in him as the one sent by God. This statement highlights the gap between knowing religious texts and truly accepting their message.

The Greek behind John 5:38

  • λόγος (logos): This word is translated as "word" and often refers to a message, teaching, or divine communication. Here, it means God's message or truth, which Jesus says is not "abiding" in his listeners.
  • μένω (menō): Translated as "abiding," this word means to remain, dwell, or stay. Jesus uses it to describe how God's word is not living or taking up residence in the hearts of his audience.
  • πιστεύω (pisteuō): This verb means "to believe" or "to trust." Jesus connects the lack of belief in him directly to the absence of God's word within them.

Why John 5:38 matters

  • John 5:38 clarifies that knowing Scripture is not enough; what matters is letting God's message truly shape one's beliefs and actions.
  • The verse emphasizes that faith in Jesus is the key evidence of having God's word alive within a person, according to Jesus' teaching.
  • This statement sets up the larger discussion in John 5, where Jesus challenges the religious leaders' understanding of Scripture and their response to God's revelation through him.

Where else these words appear

“him” Greek G5129 · used in 87 verses

  • Matthew 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
  • John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

“abiding” Greek G3306 · used in 105 verses

  • Matthew 10:11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
  • John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
  • 2 Corinthians 9:9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

“sent” Greek G649 · used in 130 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
  • John 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.