Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. When the Jews oppose Jesus for declaring Himself to be the Son of God, what evidence does He submit to support His claim? See John 5:32-33,35 (printed below)
There is someone else who testifies about me; and I know that his testimony about me is valid. (33) You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth… (35) John was the lamp that burns and shines; and for a little while you were willing to rejoice in his light. (John 5:32-33,35)
Jesus points to the witness of John the Baptist (verses 33-35). John the Baptist was a man sent by God (John 1:6-7), a man whose ministry was anointed with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:15b). As such, John carried on a bright and powerful ministry throughout Israel, it was a time of revival: religion, and the coming of the long-expected Messiah, became the topic of concern to everyone; multitudes flocked to hear John’s preaching and submitted to the baptism he performed. John testified that God had sent him to prepare the way for the Messiah (the Christ), and he pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God (note John 1:29).
2. What else serves as a witness that bears testimony that Jesus is the Son of God? See John 5:36 (printed below)
But the testimony that I possess is greater than the testimony of John; for the works that the Father has given me to perform—the very works that I am doing—testify about me, testifying that the Father has sent me. (John 5:36)
The works that Jesus performed bore witness to Him (verse 36). John came, accomplished his ministry, then passed from the scene (being imprisoned by King Herod.) But Jesus declares that He has in His possession a witness that is greater than John. Jesus is referring to the works His Father has given Him to perform, these very works bear witness that Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior (note John 14:11).
3. To what other witness does Jesus appeal in support of His claim to be the Son of God? See John 5:37-39 (printed below)
And the Father who sent me has testified about me himself. You have neither heard his voice nor seen his form at any time. (38) Furthermore, you do not have his word living in you; for you do not believe the one whom he sent. (39) You study the Scriptures diligently, because you think that eternal life is found in them. Now they testify about me (John 5:37-39)
Jesus informs the Jews that God the Father Himself has testified about Him to them (verse 37a). Jesus grants that the Jews have never physically heard the Father’s voice nor seen His form; yet, nevertheless, the Father has testified about Jesus to the Jews (verse 37b). The Father has done so by means of the Scriptures: the Scriptures are the very Word of God by which He reveals His Son, the promised Messiah, and describes His life and work—all of which find their fulfillment in the Person and work of Jesus Christ (note Luke 24:25-27).
4. According to Jesus, why is it that the Jews fail to accept the Father’s witness about Him? See John 5:38-40 (printed below), note, especially, verse 38
Furthermore, you do not have his word living in you; for you do not believe the one whom he sent. (39) You study the Scriptures diligently, because you think that eternal life is found in them. Now they testify about me; (40) but you will not come to me so that you may receive life. (John 5:38-40)
Jesus has just declared that God the Father bears witness to Him by means of the Scriptures; but, Jesus goes on to say, “You do not have his word living in you; for you do not believe the one whom he sent” (John 5:38). God had spoken His Word to the Jews; but the Word of God was not a living, active force in their lives. In practical terms, it was little more to them than ink on paper; it was not a living testimony bearing witness of Christ to them. If there is a true reception of the Scriptures as the Word of God, there will also be a true reception of Jesus Christ, because He is the Word of God in the flesh, the living Person to whom the written Word bears testimony.
5. What charge does Jesus make against the Jews in verse 42 (printed below?) How does He support that charge? See verses 43-44 (printed below)
But I know you, that you do not have a love for God within you. (John 5:42)
I have come in my Father’s name and you do not accept me; if someone shall come in his own name, you will accept him. (44) How can you believe, you who accept glory from one another, but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? (John 5:43-44)
In verse 42 Jesus confronts His hearers with the charge, “You do not have a love for God within you.” That is to say, their life and their religion were not motivated by that sacred love for God that is the very essence of true religion (note Matthew 22:37-38). Christ now proceeds to present the evidence of this lack of devotion to God on the part of these people: if you really loved God, you would accept and embrace the One whom He sent (verse 43a); you would recognize Jesus Christ to be the incarnate object of your love and respond to Him accordingly. Jesus goes on to exclaim, “How can you believe, you who accept glory from one another, but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (verse 44) Jesus is emphatically asserting that it is impossible for a man who is pre-occupied with the praises of men—and unconcerned about receiving the praise that comes from God—to commit his life to Christ.
