John 5:46

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Context

John 5:46 concludes Jesus’ powerful discourse following the healing of the paralytic at the Pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath. The Jewish leaders were persecuting Jesus, not only for healing on the Sabbath but, more significantly, for making Himself equal with God (John 5:18). In this verse, Jesus challenges their professed reverence for Moses, arguing that their failure to believe Him exposed a fundamental misunderstanding of Moses’ own writings. He presents Moses as a key witness to His own identity and mission.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Unity of Scripture: Jesus asserts a seamless connection between the Old Testament Law (the writings of Moses, also known as the Pentateuch or Torah) and His own identity. He isn't presenting a new, unrelated religion, but rather the fulfillment of what was already revealed. This highlights the continuity of God's redemptive plan from Moses to Christ, emphasizing that the entire Bible points to Him.
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: The core message is that Moses, through the inspiration of God, wrote about the coming Messiah. This points to numerous prophetic passages and typologies in the Pentateuch that foreshadow Christ, such as the promise of a prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18). If the Jewish leaders truly believed Moses, they would have recognized these prophecies being fulfilled in Jesus.
  • Unbelief and Spiritual Blindness: Jesus implies that the Jewish leaders' unbelief in Him was a direct consequence of their unbelief in Moses. They honored Moses with their lips but did not truly grasp the spiritual essence of his writings, which would have led them to Christ. Their selective adherence to the Law blinded them to its ultimate purpose.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "he wrote of me" (Greek: ἔγραψεν περὶ ἐμοῦ, egrapsen peri emou) is a powerful claim by Jesus. It signifies that Moses’ writings were not merely historical accounts or legal codes, but contained specific prophecies, types, and shadows pointing directly to Jesus as the promised Messiah. This assertion underscores Jesus' pre-existence and central role in God's plan from the very beginning, predating His earthly ministry.

Practical Application

This verse calls believers to a deeper understanding of the entire Bible, recognizing how the Old Testament lays the groundwork and provides the necessary context for the New. It encourages us to see Jesus Christ as the central figure and ultimate fulfillment of God's revelation, from Genesis to Revelation. It also serves as a warning against selective belief or intellectual pride that prevents one from accepting God's truth. True faith in God's Word will always lead to faith in His Son, Jesus. Just as the prophets testified of Him (Acts 10:43), so did Moses.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 18:15 (68 votes)

    ¶ 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 (61 votes)

    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 (61 votes)

    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 (38 votes)

    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 (30 votes)

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

  • Numbers 24:17 (25 votes)

    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 (25 votes)

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