John 5:47

Context of John 5:47

In John chapter 5, Jesus is in Jerusalem, facing intense scrutiny and persecution from the Jewish leaders, particularly for healing a man on the Sabbath and for claiming equality with God (John 5:18). Throughout this chapter, Jesus presents various witnesses to His divine authority: the Father, His own works, John the Baptist, and most significantly, the Scriptures themselves (John 5:31-39). Specifically, in the preceding verse, John 5:46, Jesus states, "For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me." John 5:47 serves as the logical, rhetorical climax to this argument, challenging their fundamental inconsistency.

Key Themes and Messages

• The Authority of Scripture: Jesus unequivocally affirms that the writings of Moses—the Torah—are divinely inspired and bear witness to Him. This highlights the foundational role of the Old Testament in understanding Christ.
• Consistency of Belief: The verse powerfully illustrates that genuine belief is consistent. If one rejects the clear testimony of God's earlier revelation (Moses' writings), it is illogical to expect them to accept His later, more direct revelation (Jesus' words).
• Spiritual Blindness and Unbelief: It exposes the spiritual blindness of the Jewish leaders, who, despite meticulously studying the Law, failed to grasp its true purpose and fulfillment in Christ. Their adherence to the letter prevented them from seeing the Spirit.
• Moses as a Witness to Christ: Jesus directly links Moses' prophecies to His own person and mission, underscoring the unity of God's redemptive plan across the Old and New Testaments.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "his writings" (Greek: ta ekeinou grammata) refers specifically to the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament traditionally attributed to Moses. This term emphasizes the written, authoritative nature of Moses' contribution to Scripture. "My words" (Greek: ta ema rhemata) signifies Jesus' own authoritative teachings and declarations, which carry the weight of divine truth and revelation.

Related Scriptures

The concept of Moses writing about Christ is crucial. The Old Testament contains numerous prophecies that point to Jesus, such as the promise of a prophet like Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15. Jesus Himself later affirmed that He came not to abolish but to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). This verse in John underscores the continuous thread of God's revelation leading to Christ.

Practical Application

John 5:47 challenges us to examine the foundation of our faith. Do we truly believe and accept the entirety of God's Word, or do we pick and choose what aligns with our preconceived notions?

• Foundational Truth: It reminds us that understanding and accepting foundational truths revealed in Scripture are essential steps toward deeper spiritual understanding and faith. Disregarding earlier revelation can hinder our ability to comprehend new truths.
• Cohesion of Scripture: The verse highlights the seamless unity between the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament anticipates Christ, and the New Testament reveals Him. To truly understand one, we must appreciate the other.
• Openness to God's Word: It serves as a call to humility and an open heart when approaching the Scriptures, ensuring that our study leads to genuine belief and obedience rather than spiritual pride or stubborn disbelief.