John 5:46

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063}{G1487} had ye believed {G4100} Moses {G3475}, ye would have believed {G4100}{G302} me {G1698}: for {G1063} he {G1565} wrote {G1125} of {G4012} me {G1700}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For if you really believed Moshe, you would believe me; because it was about me that he wrote.

Berean Standard Bible

If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me.

American Standard Version

For if ye believed Moses, ye would believe me; for he wrote of me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In [John 5:46](/john/5-46 "John 5:46 - Jesus' Claim Regarding Moses"), Jesus directly challenges the Jewish leaders, asserting that their failure to believe in Him stemmed from a fundamental misunderstanding and disbelief in Moses, whose writings, He declared, bore witness to His own person and mission. This verse serves as a pivotal point in Jesus' discourse, exposing the spiritual blindness of those who claimed to uphold the Law while rejecting its ultimate fulfillment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [John 5:46](/john/5-46 "John 5:46 - Jesus' Claim Regarding Moses") concludes a profound and escalating confrontation between Jesus and the Jewish authorities, initiated by His healing of a paralytic at the Pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath ([John 5:1-9](/john/5-1-9 "John 5:1-9 - Healing at the Pool of Bethesda")). Their initial objection to Sabbath-breaking quickly intensified into accusations of blasphemy when Jesus declared God to be His Father, thereby making Himself equal with God ([John 5:18](/john/5-18 "John 5:18 - Jesus' Claim to Equality with God")). In response, Jesus delivers a powerful discourse on His divine authority, His relationship with the Father, and the various witnesses to His identity, including John the Baptist ([John 5:33-35](/john/5-33-35 "John 5:33-35 - John the Baptist's Witness")), His own works ([John 5:36](/john/5-36 "John 5:36 - Jesus' Works as Witness")), the Father Himself ([John 5:37-38](/john/5-37-38 "John 5:37-38 - The Father's Witness")), and finally, the Scriptures, particularly the writings of Moses ([John 5:39-47](/john/5-39-47 "John 5:39-47 - The Scriptures as Witness")). This verse is the climactic point of His argument regarding the witness of the Old Testament.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For the Jewish people of Jesus' time, Moses was the preeminent figure of their history and faith, revered as the lawgiver through whom God revealed the Torah. The Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament, traditionally attributed to Moses) was the bedrock of their religious and national identity. To claim to believe Moses was to affirm one's adherence to the covenant and the Law. The religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees and Sadducees, were meticulous in their study and interpretation of the Law, often elevating their oral traditions to the level of written Scripture. Jesus' statement in [John 5:46](/john/5-46 "John 5:46 - Jesus' Claim Regarding Moses") directly challenges their perceived piety and intellectual honesty, implying that their deep reverence for Moses was superficial if it did not lead them to recognize the one whom Moses foretold. The Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court, would have seen Jesus' claims as a direct affront to their authority and understanding of the Law.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of John and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the **authority of Jesus** as the fulfillment of all Old Testament revelation, asserting His unique position as the Messiah foretold by the prophets. Secondly, it highlights the **unity and continuity of Scripture**, demonstrating that the Old Testament is not a disconnected set of laws and histories but a cohesive narrative pointing directly to Christ. The themes found throughout [the creation account](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") and the [patriarchal narratives](/genesis/12 "Genesis 12 - Abraham's Call") all find their ultimate meaning in Him. Thirdly, it exposes the theme of **spiritual blindness and unbelief**, revealing that a superficial adherence to religious tradition can prevent one from recognizing divine truth when it stands before them. The Jewish leaders' inability to see Jesus as the Messiah, despite their diligent study of the Scriptures ([John 5:39](/john/5-39 "John 5:39 - Searching the Scriptures")), is presented as a direct consequence of their failure to truly believe Moses.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **believed (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** Derived from `pístis` (faith), this verb signifies to have faith in, upon, or with respect to a person or thing; to credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ). In [John 5:46](/john/5-46 "John 5:46 - Jesus' Claim Regarding Moses"), Jesus uses it to challenge the Jewish leaders' intellectual and spiritual commitment to Moses' writings. It implies not just intellectual assent but a profound trust and acceptance that should naturally lead to believing in Jesus.
* **Moses (Greek, _Mōseús'_):** Refers to the Hebrew lawgiver, the central figure through whom God revealed the Torah. In this context, "Moses" stands metonymically for the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament, which were traditionally attributed to him and formed the foundational texts of Jewish law and prophecy. Jesus' reference to Moses carries immense weight, appealing to the highest authority recognized by His audience.
* **wrote (Greek, _gráphō'_):** A primary verb meaning to "grave," especially to write; figuratively, to describe. Here, it emphasizes the authoritative, inspired nature of Moses' literary output. The active voice highlights Moses' direct role as the human author, while the divine inspiration behind his writing is implicitly understood, making his testimony to Jesus all the more significant.
* **of (Greek, _perí'_):** This preposition, when used with the genitive case as it is here (`emoû`), indicates "with respect to," "concerning," or "about." It signifies that Moses' writings contained specific content, prophecies, types, and shadows that directly pointed to and concerned Jesus Himself. This is a powerful claim of direct prophetic fulfillment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For had ye believed Moses":** This opening clause establishes a conditional premise, implying that the Jewish leaders, despite their outward veneration, did not truly believe Moses in the full, spiritual sense. Their "belief" was superficial, failing to grasp the ultimate purpose and direction of Moses' revelation. Jesus challenges their self-perception, suggesting a profound disconnect between their profession and their practice.
* **"ye would have believed me":** This is the logical consequence of the first clause. Jesus asserts an intrinsic, undeniable link between genuine belief in Moses and belief in Himself. If one truly understood and accepted the message of Moses, it would inevitably lead to recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. This highlights Jesus' claim to be the fulfillment of Moses' writings and the continuity of God's redemptive plan.
* **"for he wrote of me":** This is the foundational reason for Jesus' assertion. It is a direct and astounding claim that the Pentateuch, the very core of Jewish Scripture, contains prophecies, types, and foreshadowings that specifically point to Jesus. This includes passages like the promise of a prophet like Moses ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - Prophecy of a Prophet Like Moses")), the Passover Lamb ([Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover")), the manna from heaven ([Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna from Heaven")), and the brazen serpent ([Numbers 21:8-9](/numbers/21-8-9 "Numbers 21:8-9 - The Brazen Serpent")). Jesus is not introducing a new, foreign religion, but revealing Himself as the culmination of God's ancient covenant and promises.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several literary devices in [John 5:46](/john/5-46 "John 5:46 - Jesus' Claim Regarding Moses") to underscore His argument. The primary device is a **Conditional Statement** or **Hypothetical Syllogism** ("If A, then B"), which functions as a powerful form of **Argumentation**. By setting up the premise "had ye believed Moses," Jesus forces His opponents to confront the logical conclusion that their failure to believe Him exposes their true lack of belief in Moses. This creates a profound sense of **Irony**, as the very people who prided themselves on their adherence to Moses' Law are shown to be spiritually blind to its ultimate purpose. Furthermore, the phrase "he wrote of me" inherently points to **Foreshadowing** and **Typology**, asserting that Moses' historical accounts, laws, and prophetic utterances contained prefigurations and direct prophecies concerning the coming Messiah, Jesus Himself.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[John 5:46](/john/5-46 "John 5:46 - Jesus' Claim Regarding Moses") profoundly establishes the Christocentric nature of all Scripture. It asserts that the Old Testament, particularly the foundational writings of Moses, is not merely a historical record or a legal code, but a divinely inspired testimony pointing forward to the person and work of Jesus Christ. This verse demolishes any perceived dichotomy between the Old and New Covenants, presenting Jesus as the seamless fulfillment of God's redemptive plan revealed from the very beginning. The Jewish leaders' failure to recognize Jesus is thus framed as a failure to truly understand their own sacred texts, demonstrating that true biblical literacy always leads to Christ.

* [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - Prophecy of a Prophet Like Moses")
* [Luke 24:27](/luke/24-27 "Luke 24:27 - Jesus Explains Scriptures to Disciples")
* [Acts 3:22](/acts/3-22 "Acts 3:22 - Peter Cites Moses' Prophecy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This powerful declaration by Jesus in [John 5:46](/john/5-46 "John 5:46 - Jesus' Claim Regarding Moses") serves as a timeless reminder for all believers about the unity and Christ-centeredness of the entire Bible. It challenges us to read the Old Testament not as a disconnected historical account, but as a rich tapestry woven with threads that ultimately lead to Jesus Christ. Our understanding of the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings should deepen our appreciation for who Jesus is and what He accomplished. If we truly believe the words of Moses and the prophets, our faith will inevitably be anchored in Christ. This verse also warns against a superficial or intellectualized faith that fails to yield genuine spiritual transformation and recognition of God's living truth. It calls us to a humble and open-hearted engagement with Scripture, allowing it to lead us into a deeper relationship with the Savior.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be "believing" parts of Scripture without truly allowing them to lead me to a deeper understanding and worship of Jesus?**
* **How does understanding the Old Testament as pointing to Christ enrich my appreciation for the entire Bible?**
* **What specific passages in Moses' writings (Pentateuch) can I identify that foreshadow or speak of Jesus?**
* **Am I allowing my preconceived notions or traditions to hinder my full acceptance of God's truth as revealed in Christ?**

### FAQ
**What did Moses write about Jesus?**

Answer: While Moses did not explicitly name "Jesus" in his writings, he wrote extensively about the coming Messiah through prophecies, types, and shadows. The most direct prophecy is found in [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - Prophecy of a Prophet Like Moses"), where Moses states, "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—him you shall listen to." This prophecy is explicitly applied to Jesus by Peter in [Acts 3:22](/acts/3-22 "Acts 3:22 - Peter Cites Moses' Prophecy"). Beyond direct prophecy, Moses' writings contain numerous typologies that foreshadow Christ: the Passover Lamb ([Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover")), whose blood saves from death; the manna from heaven ([Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna from Heaven")), which Jesus identifies as a type of Himself as the "bread of life" ([John 6:32-35](/john/6-32-35 "John 6:32-35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")); the brazen serpent in the wilderness ([Numbers 21:8-9](/numbers/21-8-9 "Numbers 21:8-9 - The Brazen Serpent")), which Jesus likens to His own crucifixion for salvation ([John 3:14-15](/john/3-14-15 "John 3:14-15 - The Son of Man Lifted Up")); and the entire sacrificial system, which points to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ ([Hebrews 10:1-10](/hebrews/10-1-10 "Hebrews 10:1-10 - Christ's Sacrifice Fulfills the Law")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 5:46](/john/5-46 "John 5:46 - Jesus' Claim Regarding Moses") stands as a profound declaration of Christ's centrality to all of God's revelation, particularly the foundational Law given through Moses. Jesus is not merely a new teacher or prophet, but the very culmination and fulfillment of everything Moses wrote. The Law, with its intricate regulations and sacrificial system, served as a "shadow of the good things to come" ([Hebrews 10:1](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1 - The Law as a Shadow of Good Things to Come")), with Christ being the substance. The prophecies of a coming prophet like Moses ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - Prophecy of a Prophet Like Moses")) found their ultimate realization in Jesus, who spoke with unparalleled authority and mediated a new covenant. From the promise of a serpent-crushing seed in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium") to the sacrificial lambs in Exodus, every facet of the Mosaic Law and narrative points forward to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Jesus' claim that Moses "wrote of me" means that the entire Pentateuch is saturated with typological and prophetic pointers to Him, revealing Him as the true Passover, the living Manna, the ultimate High Priest, and the perfect sacrifice, through whom alone salvation is found. His resurrection and subsequent explanation to His disciples on the road to Emmaus, where He "interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself" ([Luke 24:27](/luke/24-27 "Luke 24:27 - Jesus Explains Scriptures to Disciples")), further solidifies this truth, underscoring that the entire biblical narrative finds its glorious and complete fulfillment in Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 18:15

¶ The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

Deuteronomy 18:18

I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

Deuteronomy 18:19

And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require [it] of him.

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.

Luke 24:27

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Numbers 24:17

I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

Numbers 24:18

And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.