How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

JOHN 5:44KJV
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John 5:44 (KJV)

What does John 5:44 mean?

John 5:44 says that people who are focused on receiving praise from each other, instead of seeking approval from God alone, cannot truly believe. The verse points out that valuing human recognition over God’s honor stands in the way of genuine faith.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a group of Jewish religious leaders who are questioning Him. The situation is a confrontation after Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath, and He is challenging their motives. Jesus highlights that their desire for each other’s respect and status keeps them from accepting the truth about Him and from believing in God’s message.

The Greek behind John 5:44

  • The word for "honour" is δόξα (doxa), which often means glory, praise, or recognition. Here, it emphasizes the difference between human praise and the honor that comes from God.
  • The phrase "one of another" uses παρά (para) and ἀλλήλων (allēlōn), meaning "from" and "of each other." This stresses that the honor being sought is from peers, not from a higher source.
  • The word "seek" is ζητέω (zēteō), which means to look for or strive after. It suggests an active pursuit, not just a passive preference.
  • The word "only" is μόνον (monon), meaning "alone" or "only," underlining that the honor from God is exclusive and not mixed with human approval.

Why John 5:44 matters

  • John 5:44 clarifies that faith is not just about intellectual agreement but about where a person seeks approval and value.
  • The verse reveals a key barrier to belief: the desire for social acceptance can be stronger than the desire for God’s truth.
  • This statement connects to the broader theme in John’s Gospel, where Jesus often contrasts human standards with God’s standards, showing that true faith requires a different focus.

Where else these words appear

“only” Greek G3441 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
  • Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

“another” Greek G240 · used in 94 verses

  • Matthew 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
  • Acts 4:15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
  • Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

“How” Greek G4459 · used in 100 verses

  • Matthew 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
  • Luke 11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
  • Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

“seek” Greek G2212 · used in 116 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Luke 13:6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
  • John 16:19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?