John 5:39

37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

41 I receive not honour from men.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me,
KJV
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
WEB
“You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.
ASV
Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me;
DARBY
Ye search the scriptures, for ye think that in them ye have life eternal, and they it is which bear witness concerning me;
BLB
You⁺ search the Scriptures because you⁺ think to have eternal life in them, and these are they testifying concerning Me;
ÅB
Dere ransaker skriftene, fordi dere tenker at i dem har dere evig liv, og det er de som vitner om meg;
OTB
Dere studerer skriftene nøye fordi dere tror at i dem har dere evig liv. Det er disse skriftene som vitner om meg,
B1930
I ransaker skriftene, fordi I tenker at i dem har I evig liv, og det er de som vidner om mig;

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Luke 24:27

    And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

    Read in context
  • Luke 24:44

    And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

    Read in context
  • 2 Peter 1:19–21

    We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

    Read in context
  • Acts 26:22–23

    Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 8:33–34

    Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 22:29

    Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

    Read in context
  • John 5:46

    For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

    Read in context
  • 1 Peter 1:10–11

    Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

    Read in context