John 5:47

KJV

But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} if {G1487} ye believe {G4100} not {G3756} his {G1565} writings {G1121}, how {G4459} shall ye believe {G4100} my {G1699} words {G4487}?

Complete Jewish Bible

But if you don’t believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?”

Berean Standard Bible

But since you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?”

American Standard Version

But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 5:47, Jesus confronts the Jewish leaders with the profound inconsistency of their unbelief, asserting that if they refuse to believe the authoritative writings of Moses, which bear witness to Him, they will certainly not believe His own divine words. This verse serves as a climactic rhetorical challenge, exposing their spiritual blindness and highlighting the interconnectedness and unified testimony of God's progressive revelation through the Old Testament and the person of Jesus Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [John chapter 5](/john/5 "John 5 - Jesus' Authority and Witnesses") opens with Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath at the Pool of Bethesda, an act that immediately draws the ire of the Jewish authorities. Their opposition escalates when Jesus asserts His equality with God, claiming that He does what the Father does and possesses the authority to give life and execute judgment ([John 5:17-23](/john/5-17-23 "John 5:17-23 - Jesus' Equality with God")). In response to their accusations and unbelief, Jesus systematically presents an array of witnesses to His divine identity and mission: the testimony of [John the Baptist](/john/5-33-35 "John 5:33-35 - John the Baptist's Witness"), the witness of His own miraculous works ([John 5:36](/john/5-36 "John 5:36 - Jesus' Works as Witness")), the direct testimony of God the Father ([John 5:37-38](/john/5-37-38 "John 5:37-38 - The Father's Witness")), and finally, the ultimate witness of the Scriptures themselves ([John 5:39-40](/john/5-39-40 "John 5:39-40 - The Witness of the Scriptures")). [John 5:46](/john/5-46 "John 5:46 - Moses Wrote of Jesus") explicitly states, "For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me." Therefore, [John 5:47](/john/5-47 "John 5:47 - The Inconsistency of Unbelief") functions as the logical and rhetorical culmination of Jesus' argument, exposing the hypocrisy of those who claimed to honor Moses but rejected the very one Moses foretold.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jewish leaders, particularly the Pharisees and scribes, held the Law of Moses (the Torah, or Pentateuch) in the highest esteem. It was the foundation of their religious, social, and national identity. They meticulously studied and interpreted it, believing that in it they had eternal life ([John 5:39](/john/5-39 "John 5:39 - Searching the Scriptures")). However, their reverence for the written word had, in many cases, become an end in itself, rather than a means to know God and recognize His Messiah. They were steeped in a tradition that anticipated a Messiah, but their expectations were often shaped by political and nationalistic aspirations rather than a deep spiritual understanding of the prophetic texts. Jesus' claim to be the fulfillment of Moses' writings directly challenged their established interpretations and their authority as guardians of the Law. The cultural expectation was that a true prophet or Messiah would be attested by the Law, and Jesus here turns their own most cherished authority against them, revealing their spiritual blindness despite their intellectual pursuit of the Scriptures.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in [John's Gospel](/john "The Gospel According to John"). Primarily, it underscores the **Authority of Scripture**, particularly the Old Testament, as a unified and divinely inspired witness to Jesus Christ. Jesus consistently affirms that the ancient texts, especially the writings of Moses, are not merely historical documents but prophetic revelations pointing directly to Him. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Spiritual Blindness and Unbelief** among those who, despite their religious devotion and study, fail to recognize God's truth when it is manifested before them. Their inability to believe Moses' writings, which were foundational to their faith, demonstrates a deeper spiritual problem than mere intellectual disagreement. This leads to the theme of **Consistency of Belief**: genuine faith is coherent across God's revelation. If one rejects the earlier, foundational revelation (Moses), it is impossible to genuinely embrace the later, more complete revelation (Jesus). Finally, the verse reinforces the theme of **Moses as a Witness to Christ**, showing that God's redemptive plan is continuous and culminates in Jesus, who is the Prophet like Moses foretold in [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **believe (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** From πίστις, meaning to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ). In this context, it signifies a deep, personal conviction and trust that leads to acceptance of the truth. Jesus implies that their failure is not merely intellectual but a fundamental lack of faith in the divinely inspired message.
* **writings (Greek, _grámma'_):** From γράφω, meaning a writing, i.e., a letter, note, epistle, book, etc.; plural learning. Here, it specifically refers to the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament traditionally attributed to Moses. The term emphasizes the authoritative, written nature of Moses' revelation, which contained prophecies and types pointing to Christ.
* **words (Greek, _rhēma'_):** From ῥέω, meaning an utterance (individually, collectively or specially); by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute). In contrast to "writings," "words" here refers to Jesus' spoken teachings, declarations, and claims, which carry the direct authority of God Himself, being the living Word.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But if ye believe not his writings,"**: This clause establishes the premise of Jesus' rhetorical question. The "writings" refer to the Torah, the Law of Moses, which the Jewish leaders claimed to uphold and study diligently. Jesus asserts that despite their outward adherence, they fundamentally did not believe the true message and prophetic implications contained within these sacred texts. Their unbelief in Moses' writings is precisely their failure to recognize how those writings spoke of Him.
* **"how shall ye believe my words?"**: This is a rhetorical question that functions as an _a fortiori_ argument (from the lesser to the greater). If they cannot believe the written, ancient, and foundational revelation given through Moses, which clearly pointed to Jesus, how could they possibly believe the more direct, immediate, and profound revelation coming from Jesus Himself, the very fulfillment of those writings? It highlights the spiritual impossibility of accepting the greater truth when the lesser, preparatory truth has been rejected.

#### Literary Devices
[John 5:47](/john/5-47 "John 5:47 - The Inconsistency of Unbelief") masterfully employs several literary devices. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "how shall ye believe my words?" Jesus does not expect an answer but uses the question to make a powerful assertion, emphasizing the logical impossibility of their position. This rhetorical question is also an example of an **A Fortiori Argument**, where Jesus reasons from the lesser (Moses' writings, which they claim to believe) to the greater (His own words, which are the fulfillment of Moses' writings). The implication is that if they fail at the foundational level, they will surely fail at the higher level. Furthermore, there is a clear **Contrast** or **Antithesis** established between "his writings" (Moses') and "my words" (Jesus'), highlighting the continuity and culmination of divine revelation. Their rejection of the former makes belief in the latter untenable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 5:47 profoundly underscores the theological unity of God's revelation across the Old and New Testaments. It asserts that the Old Testament, particularly the Law of Moses, is not merely a historical or legal document but a prophetic witness to Jesus Christ. To truly believe Moses is to believe in the one he foretold. The verse exposes the danger of a superficial or intellectualized faith that fails to grasp the spiritual essence and ultimate purpose of God's Word, which is to lead humanity to Christ. Their unbelief in the foundational revelation through Moses made them incapable of receiving the ultimate revelation in Jesus. This highlights the consistent nature of divine truth and the necessity of an open heart to receive it in all its forms.

* [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses")
* [Luke 24:27](/luke/24-27 "Luke 24:27 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures")
* [Acts 3:22](/acts/3-22 "Acts 3:22 - Peter's Sermon on the Prophet Like Moses")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 5:47 serves as a poignant mirror for self-reflection, challenging us to examine the coherence and depth of our own faith. Do we truly embrace the entirety of God's Word, or do we selectively accept what aligns with our comfort or preconceived notions? This verse reminds us that genuine belief is not compartmentalized; if we struggle to accept foundational truths revealed in earlier parts of Scripture, it will inevitably hinder our ability to grasp and live out the fuller revelation of Christ. It calls us to approach the Bible with humility and an open heart, recognizing that all Scripture testifies to Jesus. Our engagement with God's Word should lead to a consistent, transformative faith, rather than intellectual pride or stubborn disbelief. We are invited to see the seamless tapestry of God's redemptive plan woven throughout history, culminating in Christ, and to respond with wholehearted trust.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be prone to selectively believing parts of Scripture while neglecting others?**
* **How does my understanding of the Old Testament influence my understanding and faith in Jesus Christ?**
* **Am I truly open to the full implications of God's Word, even when it challenges my assumptions or comforts?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a more consistent and holistic belief in all of God's revelation?**

### FAQ
**What are "his writings" that Jesus refers to in John 5:47?**

Answer: "His writings" (Greek: _ta ekeinou grammata_) refers specifically to the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), which are traditionally attributed to Moses. These books contain the Law, historical narratives, and prophecies that Jesus asserted pointed directly to Him. For example, [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses") foretold the coming of a great prophet like Moses, whom Jesus implicitly claims to be.

**Why would the Jewish leaders not believe Moses' writings, given their reverence for the Law?**

Answer: The Jewish leaders, particularly the Pharisees, meticulously studied the Law and held it in high esteem. However, Jesus implies that their belief was superficial or misdirected. They focused on the letter of the Law and its traditions, often missing its spirit and ultimate purpose. They failed to recognize that the Law, the prophets, and all of the [Old Testament](/luke/24-44 "Luke 24:44 - Jesus Explains the Law and Prophets") were designed to point to the coming Messiah. Their "belief" in Moses was intellectual and ritualistic, but it lacked the spiritual discernment to see its fulfillment in Jesus. Their pride and preconceived notions about the Messiah blinded them to the clear testimony of their own sacred texts.

**How does this verse apply to believers today?**

Answer: [John 5:47](/john/5-47 "John 5:47 - The Inconsistency of Unbelief") serves as a timeless warning against selective belief and spiritual inconsistency. For believers today, it underscores the importance of embracing the entire canon of Scripture as God's unified revelation, with the Old Testament laying the foundation and the New Testament revealing its fulfillment in Christ. If we dismiss or misunderstand foundational truths in the Old Testament, it can hinder our ability to fully grasp and trust the teachings of Jesus. It calls us to a humble, consistent, and holistic faith that receives all of God's Word as authoritative and Christ-centered.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 5:47 powerfully articulates the Christ-centered nature of all Scripture. Jesus, as the ultimate revelation of God, stands as the fulfillment of everything written by Moses and the prophets. The "writings" of Moses, particularly the Pentateuch, are not merely ancient laws or historical accounts; they are divinely inspired texts that foreshadow Christ through types, prophecies, and patterns. The sacrificial system pointed to the ultimate sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the Passover deliverance anticipated the redemption found in Christ, and the promise of a prophet like Moses ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses")) found its complete realization in Jesus. Therefore, to truly "believe Moses" is to recognize that he "wrote of me" ([John 5:46](/john/5-46 "John 5:46 - Moses Wrote of Jesus")). Jesus' "words" are not a deviation from Moses but the consummation of his message. As the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), Jesus embodies and perfectly interprets all that came before Him, revealing the Father fully. His challenge to the Jewish leaders highlights that genuine faith in God's prior revelation inevitably leads to faith in His Son, for all of God's redemptive history converges in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end of God's saving story.

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

Luke 16:31

And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Luke 16:29

Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.