Bible Strands
John 5:46
If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus is addressing the Jewish leaders who have been disputing his authority (John 5:1–47). He has just named Moses as their accuser (v. 45); this verse explains why.
The words — ἐπιστεύω (episteuō) appears twice in the verse, once with "Moses" as object and once with "Me," making the two acts of trust logically inseparable. The conditional particle ἂν (an) paired with the aorist subjunctive marks this as a counterfactual: the belief did not happen, and the consequence follows.
The thread — Deuteronomy 18:15, 18 names a prophet like Moses whom Israel must hear; John 1:45 has Philip identify that figure as the one "Moses wrote about in the Law."
Why it lands — The verse removes the option of honoring Moses while rejecting Jesus: if Moses is your standard, he is your accuser, not your shield.
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
For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
Cross-references
- 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 18:18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.
- 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.”
- Luke 24:27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.
- Numbers 24:17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.
- Genesis 49:10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.
- 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:
- Genesis 22:18 And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
- Numbers 21:8 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.”
- Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”