For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

JOHN 5:46KJV
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John 5:46 (KJV)

What does John 5:46 mean?

John 5:46 says that if the people truly believed what Moses wrote, they would also believe Jesus, because Moses wrote about Him. Jesus is pointing out that the teachings of Moses actually point forward to Jesus Himself.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to Jewish leaders who prided themselves on following Moses’ writings. He challenges them by saying that their lack of belief in Him shows they do not really believe Moses either. The verse highlights a connection between the Old Testament writings and Jesus, showing that Jesus sees Himself as the fulfillment of what Moses wrote.

The Greek behind John 5:46

  • πιστεύω (pisteuō, "believed"): This word means more than just agreeing with facts; it often carries the sense of trusting or having faith. Jesus is saying that true belief in Moses’ writings would naturally lead to belief in Him.
  • ἔγραψεν (egrapsen, "he wrote"): This verb refers to Moses’ act of writing, likely pointing to the first five books of the Old Testament. Jesus claims that Moses’ writings contain references or prophecies about Him.
  • περὶ ἐμοῦ (peri emou, "of me"): This phrase means "about me." Jesus is making a direct claim that Moses’ writings are not just general teachings, but specifically point to Him.

Why John 5:46 matters

  • John 5:46 clarifies that Jesus saw His mission and identity as deeply rooted in the Jewish Scriptures, not as something separate or new.
  • This verse challenges the assumption that someone can accept the authority of Moses but reject Jesus; according to Jesus, the two are inseparable.
  • John 5:46 helps explain the broader argument in John 5, where Jesus is defending His authority and identity to religious leaders who are skeptical of His claims.

Where else these words appear

“Moses” Greek G3475 · used in 79 verses

  • Matthew 8:4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
  • John 1:45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
  • Acts 21:21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

“me” Greek G1698 · used in 87 verses

  • Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
  • John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

“me” Greek G1700 · used in 104 verses

  • Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
  • Luke 22:21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
  • Acts 25:9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?