Bible Strands
John 5:39
You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses Jewish religious leaders who examine the Scriptures while simultaneously refusing to come to Him for life (John 5:38–40).
The words — ἐραυνᾶτε (eraunate) literally means "you diligently search," paired with δοκεῖτε (dokeite), which translates to "you think" or "presume."
The thread — The pattern of Scripture testifying to Christ appears in Luke 24:27 and Luke 24:44, while 2 Peter 1:19 confirms the reliability of the prophetic word.
Why it lands — The text states that the Scriptures point to Jesus, then notes that readers who study them must actually come to Him rather than treating the text as a self-sufficient means of securing life.
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
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Cross-references
- Luke 24:27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.
- Luke 24:44 Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”
- 2 Peter 1:19 We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
- Acts 26:22 But I have had God’s help to this day, and I stand here to testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen:
- Proverbs 8:33 Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.
- Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered, “You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.
- John 5:46 If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me.
- 1 Peter 1:10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully,
- Isaiah 34:16 Search and read the scroll of the LORD: Not one of these will go missing, not one will lack her mate, because He has ordered it by His mouth, and He will gather them by His Spirit.
- 2 Timothy 3:14 But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them.