John 5:43

I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

I am {G1473} come {G2064} in {G1722} my {G3450} Father's {G3962} name {G3686}, and {G2532} ye receive {G2983} me {G3165} not {G3756}: if {G1437} another {G243} shall come {G2064} in {G1722} his own {G2398} name {G3686}, him {G1565} ye will receive {G2983}.

I have come in my Father’s name, and you don’t accept me; if someone else comes in his own name, him you will accept.

I have come in My Father’s name, and you have not received Me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will receive him.

I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

John 5:43 captures Jesus' profound lament over the spiritual blindness of His generation, particularly the Jewish leaders, who rejected His divine authority while remaining open to future deceivers. This verse highlights the stark contrast between Christ's mission, which was entirely from the Father, and the self-serving motives of those who would later seek glory for themselves.

Context

This powerful statement is part of Jesus' defense and discourse after healing a man at the Pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath (John 5:1-18). His miraculous act, coupled with His claim of equality with God, provoked intense opposition from the Jewish authorities. In this larger passage, Jesus continually emphasizes His unique relationship with the Father, stating that He does nothing of Himself but only what He sees the Father doing (John 5:19) and that He seeks not His own glory but the glory of Him who sent Him.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority vs. Human Ambition: Jesus' legitimacy and mission are entirely from His Father; He operates under divine commission. In stark contrast, "another" will come seeking personal glory and human adulation, appealing to worldly desires rather than divine truth. This underscores the difference between true spiritual leadership and false pretenders.
  • The Paradox of Rejection: Despite clear evidence of His identity through miracles, fulfilled prophecies, and divine testimony, Jesus, the true Messiah, was rejected by those who should have recognized Him (John 1:11). This rejection often stemmed from spiritual pride, a misunderstanding of the Messiah's role, and a preference for human traditions over God's truth.
  • Vulnerability to Deception: The chilling prophecy "if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive" warns that people, having rejected divine truth, become susceptible to false teachers and messiahs who appeal to their self-interest or nationalistic fervor. This foreshadows the rise of many imposters throughout history and even the ultimate "man of sin" (antichrist figure) who would come in his own name.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "in my Father's name" (Greek: en tō onomati tou Patros mou) signifies acting by the Father's authority, character, and commission. It's not merely a label, but a complete representation of His divine source and purpose. Conversely, "in his own name" (Greek: en tō idiō onomati) denotes acting on one's own initiative, for personal gain or self-aggrandizement, without divine authorization. The contrast highlights the fundamental difference in motivation and origin.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless warning to believers to exercise spiritual discernment. We must always test the spirits and teachings against the unchanging Word of God, rather than being swayed by charisma, popularity, or promises that appeal to our worldly desires. It calls us to recognize true authority, which is always rooted in God's will and brings Him glory, not human glory. We are to beware of those who seek to exalt themselves or lead others away from Christ's simple truth, as Jesus Himself warned about false prophets.

John 5:43 powerfully illustrates the human tendency to reject divine truth when it challenges personal agendas, and instead embrace deception that validates one's own desires. It underscores the critical importance of receiving Jesus Christ, who came fully authorized by the Father, as the only true source of life and salvation.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 10:25

    Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

  • Matthew 24:5

    For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

  • John 17:4

    I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

  • John 17:6

    I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

  • Hebrews 5:4

    And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as [was] Aaron.

  • Hebrews 5:5

    So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

  • John 6:38

    For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

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