Bible Strands
John 5:38
nor does His word abide in you, because you do not believe the One He sent.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses Jewish opponents in Jerusalem who had just questioned His authority, directly responding to their claim that the Father testified about Him. He notes that despite the Father’s prior witness, they actively reject His message.
The words — λόγον (logon) = word, and ἔχετε (echete) = you have. The Greek syntax places the object before the verb to emphasize that they lack possession of His spoken message rather than merely lacking exposure to it.
The thread — The concept of divine words residing within a person appears in Deuteronomy 6:6 and 1 John 2:14, while the necessity of faith in the Sender is restated in John 12:44.
Why it lands — The text states that unbelief functionally prevents Scripture from taking root in a person’s life. It requires the reader to move from intellectual examination of the text to active trust in the Father’s sent Agent.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
Cross-references
- 1 John 2:14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
- Deuteronomy 6:6 These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts.
- John 12:44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in Me does not believe in Me alone, but in the One who sent Me.
- Proverbs 7:1 My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you.
- Isaiah 53:1 Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
- James 1:21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.
- Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.
- Proverbs 2:1 My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you,
- Isaiah 49:7 Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, to Him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the Servant of rulers: “Kings will see You and rise, and princes will bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen You.”
- John 1:11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.