John 5:39

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Complete Jewish Bible:

You keep examining the Tanakh because you think that in it you have eternal life. Those very Scriptures bear witness to me,

Berean Standard Bible:

You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me,

American Standard Version:

Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Search^{G2045} the scriptures^{G1124}; for^{G3754} in^{G1722} them^{G846} ye^{G5210} think^{G1380} ye have^{G2192} eternal^{G166} life^{G2222}: and^{G2532} they^{G1565} are they^{G1526} which testify^{G3140} of^{G4012} me^{G1700}.

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Commentary for John 5:39

John 5:39 is a verse where Jesus is speaking to the Jewish leaders, specifically the Pharisees, who were well-versed in the Scriptures, which at the time would have primarily consisted of what we now call the Old Testament. The historical context is crucial here; Jesus is engaging with a group that prides itself on its knowledge of the law and the prophets. In this verse, Jesus is urging them to delve deeper into the Scriptures, not just for academic or legalistic purposes, but to understand their deeper spiritual significance, which points to Him as the Messiah.

The themes of this verse include the importance of seeking spiritual truth beyond mere intellectual understanding, the idea that the Scriptures bear witness to Jesus as the source of eternal life, and the critique of religious self-righteousness. Jesus is emphasizing that the Pharisees' reliance on their own understanding and interpretation of the Scriptures is insufficient. They believe that their meticulous study of the law will lead them to eternal life, yet they fail to recognize that the very scriptures they study are about Jesus Himself—the one standing before them.

In essence, Jesus is calling for a heart change, a reorientation of their approach to the Scriptures, from one of self-assured piety to one of humble seeking. He is the embodiment of the Word, and the Scriptures testify to His identity and mission. The verse underscores the transformative power of the Scriptures when they are read with the intention of encountering the living Christ, who is the ultimate source of life and truth.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2045
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐρευνάω
   Transliteration: ereunáō
   Pronunciation: er-yoo-nah'-o
   Description: apparently from ἐρέω (through the idea of inquiry); to seek, i.e. (figuratively) to investigate:--search.
   
2. Strong's Number: G1124
   There are 51 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γραφή
   Transliteration: graphḗ
   Pronunciation: graf-ay'
   Description: from γράφω; a document, i.e. holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it):--scripture.
   
3. Strong's Number: G3754
   There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτι
   Transliteration: hóti
   Pronunciation: hot'-ee
   Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
5. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
6. Strong's Number: G5210
   There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑμεῖς
   Transliteration: hymeîs
   Pronunciation: hoo-mice'
   Description: irregular plural of σύ; you (as subjective of verb):--ye (yourselves), you.
   
7. Strong's Number: G1380
   There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δοκέω
   Transliteration: dokéō
   Pronunciation: dok'-o
   Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb, (used only in an alternate in certain tenses; compare the base of δεικνύω) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly):--be accounted, (of own) please(-ure), be of reputation, seem (good), suppose, think, trow.
   
8. Strong's Number: G2192
   There are 628 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔχω
   Transliteration: échō
   Pronunciation: skheh'-o
   Description: a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
   
9. Strong's Number: G166
   There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αἰώνιος
   Transliteration: aiṓnios
   Pronunciation: ahee-o'-nee-os
   Description: from αἰών; perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well):--eternal, for ever, everlasting, world (began).
   
10. Strong's Number: G2222
    There are 126 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ζωή
    Transliteration: zōḗ
    Pronunciation: dzo-ay'
    Description: from ζάω; life (literally or figuratively):--life(-time). Compare ψυχή.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1565
    There are 244 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐκεῖνος
    Transliteration: ekeînos
    Pronunciation: ek-i'-nos
    Description: from ἐκεῖ; that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed:--he, it, the other (same), selfsame, that (same, very), X their, X them, they, this, those. See also οὗτος.
    
13. Strong's Number: G1526
    There are 146 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἰσί
    Transliteration: eisí
    Pronunciation: i-see'
    Description: 3rd person plural present indicative of εἰμί; they are:--agree, are, be, dure, X is, were.
    
14. Strong's Number: G3140
    There are 75 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μαρτυρέω
    Transliteration: martyréō
    Pronunciation: mar-too-reh'-o
    Description: from μάρτυς; to be a witness, i.e. testify (literally or figuratively):--charge, give (evidence), bear record, have (obtain, of) good (honest) report, be well reported of, testify, give (have) testimony, (be, bear, give, obtain) witness.
    
15. Strong's Number: G4012
    There are 304 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: περί
    Transliteration: perí
    Pronunciation: per-ee'
    Description: from the base of πέραν; properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period):--(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with. In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).
    
16. Strong's Number: G1700
    There are 104 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐμοῦ
    Transliteration: emoû
    Pronunciation: em-oo'
    Description: a prolonged form of μόχθος; of me:--me, mine, my.