John 5:47
New International Version
But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?”

New Living Translation
But since you don’t believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?”

English Standard Version
But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”

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

Berean Literal Bible
And unless you believe his writings, how will you believe My words?"

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

New King James Version
But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

New American Standard Bible
But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

NASB 1995
“But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

NASB 1977
“But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

Legacy Standard Bible
But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

Amplified Bible
But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

Christian Standard Bible
But if you don’t believe what he wrote, how will you believe my words? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But if you don’t believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

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

Contemporary English Version
But if you don't believe what Moses wrote, how can you believe what I say?

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If you don't believe what Moses wrote, how will you ever believe what I say?"

Good News Translation
But since you do not believe what he wrote, how can you believe what I say?"

International Standard Version
But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe my words?"

Majority Standard Bible
But since you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say??

NET Bible
But if you do not believe what Moses wrote, how will you believe my words?"

New Heart English Bible
But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?"

Webster's Bible Translation
But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

Weymouth New Testament
But if you disbelieve his writings, how are you to believe my words?"

World English Bible
But if you don’t believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
but if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My sayings?”

Berean Literal Bible
And unless you believe his writings, how will you believe My words?"

Young's Literal Translation
but if his writings ye believe not, how shall ye believe my sayings?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?

Catholic Public Domain Version
But if you do not believe by his writings, how will you believe by my words?”

New American Bible
But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”

New Revised Standard Version
But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If you do not believe his writings, how then can you believe my words?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe my words?

Godbey New Testament
For if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?

Haweis New Testament
But if ye believe not his writings, how will ye believe my words?

Mace New Testament
but if you don't believe what he has writ, how should you believe what I say?

Weymouth New Testament
But if you disbelieve his writings, how are you to believe my words?"

Worrell New Testament
But, if ye believe not his writings, how will ye believe My words?"

Worsley New Testament
but if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Witness of Scripture
46If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me. 47But since you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?”

Cross References
John 3:12
If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?

Luke 16:31
Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”

John 1:45
Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

John 8:45-46
But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me! / Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me?

John 12:48
There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

John 7:19
Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps it. Why are you trying to kill Me?”

Romans 3:3
What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness?

Hebrews 3:12
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God.

Acts 28:24
Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe.

2 Corinthians 4:4
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

1 John 5:10
Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son.

Matthew 21:25
What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’

Romans 10:16
But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”

Deuteronomy 18:15
The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him.

Deuteronomy 31:26-27
“Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, so that it may remain there as a witness against you. / For I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are. If you are already rebelling against the LORD while I am still alive, how much more will you rebel after my death!


Treasury of Scripture

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

Luke 16:29,31
Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them…

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Belief Believe Disbelieve Sayings Words Writings Wrote
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Belief Believe Disbelieve Sayings Words Writings Wrote
John 5
1. Jesus on the Sabbath day cures him who was diseased thirty-eight years.
10. The Jews therefore object, and persecute him for it.
17. He answers for himself, and reproves them, showing by the testimony of his Father,
31. of John,
36. of his works,
39. and of the Scriptures, who he is.














But since you do not believe
This phrase highlights a critical issue of unbelief. The Greek word for "believe" here is "πιστεύω" (pisteuō), which means to have faith or trust. In the context of the Gospel of John, belief is not merely intellectual assent but involves a deep, personal trust in Jesus as the Messiah. Historically, the Jewish leaders to whom Jesus was speaking had a long tradition of scriptural study, yet their hearts were hardened. This phrase challenges readers to examine the depth and authenticity of their faith, urging a move beyond mere knowledge to a transformative trust in Christ.

what he wrote
The "he" in this phrase refers to Moses, the great lawgiver and prophet of Israel. The Greek word for "wrote" is "ἔγραψεν" (egrapsen), indicating the authoritative nature of the Scriptures. Moses' writings, particularly the Torah, were foundational to Jewish belief and practice. Archaeologically, the reverence for the Torah is evidenced by ancient manuscripts and the care with which they were copied. Jesus is pointing out that the very Scriptures the Jewish leaders claim to uphold testify about Him, yet they fail to see it. This phrase invites believers to delve deeply into the Old Testament, recognizing its testimony about Christ.

how will you believe
This rhetorical question underscores the connection between the Old Testament and Jesus' teachings. The Greek word "πιστεύσετε" (pisteusete) is a future tense of "believe," suggesting a progression or development of faith. Jesus is emphasizing that understanding and accepting the writings of Moses is foundational to accepting His own words. Historically, this reflects the continuity of God's revelation from the Old Testament to the New Testament. For contemporary believers, it serves as a reminder of the importance of the whole counsel of God’s Word in nurturing faith.

what I say?
The phrase "what I say" refers to the teachings and declarations of Jesus. The Greek word "λέγω" (legō) means to speak or to say, and it carries the weight of authority and truth. In the context of John's Gospel, Jesus' words are life-giving and revelatory, offering insight into the nature of God and His kingdom. This phrase challenges readers to consider the authority of Jesus' words in their lives. Historically, Jesus' teachings were revolutionary, offering a new understanding of God's kingdom. For believers today, it is a call to listen, understand, and apply Jesus' teachings, recognizing them as the ultimate truth.

(47) The emphasis of the contrast here is not between "writings" and "words," but between "his" and "My." It is a repetition of the thought of the previous verse, with an advance in time. They had not believed Moses, and therefore had not believed Him. They do not believe, for they do not read the spiritual meaning of the writings of Moses even now. What ground of hope is left? His words, revealing the deeper truths of the kingdom of God, will fall upon their ears as so many unmeaning sounds. (Comp. Note on John 3:12.)



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

since
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

you do not believe
πιστεύετε (pisteuete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4100: From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.

what
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

he
ἐκείνου (ekeinou)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 1565: That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.

wrote,
γράμμασιν (grammasin)
Noun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1121: From grapho; a writing, i.e. A letter, note, epistle, book, etc. plural learning.

how
πῶς (pōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!

will you believe
πιστεύσετε (pisteusete)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4100: From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.

what
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

I
ἐμοῖς (emois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Neuter 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1699: My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my.

say?”
ῥήμασιν (rhēmasin)
Noun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4487: From rheo; an utterance, ; by implication, a matter or topic; with a negative naught whatever.


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