Meaning of John 5:39

Jesus addresses the religious leaders, specifically the Pharisees and Sadducees, who meticulously studied the Old Testament Law and prophetic writings. Their diligent study, however, was motivated by a misplaced focus: they believed that by adhering to the Law and possessing its texts, they would attain eternal life. Jesus reveals the fundamental flaw in their approach: their exhaustive knowledge of the Scriptures had not led them to recognize Him, the very subject and fulfillment of those same Scriptures. The Scriptures, in their entirety, were intended to point towards and testify about the Messiah, who is Jesus Himself. Therefore, their intense engagement with the text had become an intellectual exercise devoid of its intended salvific purpose, a missed opportunity to encounter the divine reality they sought.

Context and Background

This verse is found within the Gospel of John, a book that emphasizes Jesus' divine identity and His relationship with the Father. The immediate context (John 5:18ff.) describes Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath, an act that provoked intense opposition from the Jewish authorities. Their anger stemmed from Jesus' assertion of His divine authority and His claim to be the Son of God, which they considered blasphemy. In this passage, Jesus is defending His actions and His claims, arguing that the Scriptures themselves bear witness to Him. He is engaging in a theological debate with those who held positions of religious authority but lacked spiritual discernment.

Key Themes and Messages

• The Purpose of Scripture: The primary message is that the Old Testament Scriptures are not an end in themselves but a means to an end. Their ultimate purpose is to testify about Jesus Christ.
• Misplaced Diligence: The verse highlights the danger of diligent study without proper spiritual insight. The religious leaders' focus on the letter of the law obscured its intended spirit and its Messianic prophecy.
• Jesus as the Fulfillment: Jesus unequivocally declares that He is the central figure of all Old Testament prophecy and teaching. The Scriptures point to Him as the source of eternal life.
• The Nature of True Understanding: Genuine understanding of the Scriptures involves recognizing Jesus and accepting Him as the Messiah.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse has profound implications for believers today. It calls for a re-evaluation of our own engagement with the Bible. Are we studying Scripture for the sake of accumulating knowledge, or are we seeking to encounter Jesus more deeply? True biblical scholarship and personal devotion should always lead us to a greater appreciation of Christ. It warns against intellectualism that remains detached from faith and personal transformation. The application is to read, study, and meditate on the Scriptures with the explicit prayer that the Holy Spirit would illuminate our minds to see Christ in them, and to apply His truths to our lives.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

John 5:39 fits seamlessly into the overarching narrative of redemption that unfolds throughout the Bible. From the earliest promises in Genesis (e.g., Genesis 3:15) to the detailed prophecies of Isaiah and the Psalms, the Old Testament consistently points forward to a coming Messiah who would bring salvation. Jesus, in this verse, asserts that this prophetic thread culminates in Him. The New Testament Gospels, particularly John, then demonstrate how Jesus fulfills these ancient expectations. This verse acts as a bridge, connecting the Old Covenant's preparatory role with the New Covenant's fulfillment in Christ.

Analogies

Imagine a treasure map that meticulously details landmarks, routes, and clues. A person could spend years studying the map, memorizing every detail, and even believing they possess the map to great riches. However, if they never actually follow the map's directions or look for the indicated treasure, their study is ultimately fruitless. Similarly, the Scriptures are a map to eternal life, and Jesus is the treasure itself. The religious leaders were so focused on studying the map that they missed the treasure it pointed to. Another analogy is a wedding invitation; one can study the calligraphy, the paper quality, and the wording of the invitation but fail to attend the wedding itself. The invitation's purpose is to lead to the event, just as Scripture's purpose is to lead to Christ.

Relation to Other Verses

• Luke 24:27, 44: Jesus Himself, after His resurrection, expounded to the disciples on the Mount of Olives, "beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself." This echoes John 5:39, showing Jesus' consistent emphasis on His centrality in the Old Testament.
• Deuteronomy 18:15, 18: Moses prophesied of a Prophet like him whom God would raise up, to whom Israel should listen. Jesus presents Himself as this Prophet.
• Isaiah 53: This famous chapter details the suffering servant who would bear the sins of many, a prophecy understood by early Christians, and by Jesus, to refer to Himself.
• John 1:45: Philip tells Nathanael, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." This again highlights the prophetic witness to Jesus in the Old Testament.
• Acts 17:11: The Bereans are commended for examining the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true, demonstrating a model of diligent and discerning study aimed at truth.